Shira's Regular Belly Dancing Classes
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For All Ages
These classes are held in Iowa City. To enroll, please either call Julie (Shira) at 319-331-2572 or send email.
See the supplies page for details on what you'll need for class.
Sunday Afternoons |
Wednesday Evenings |
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| Location | Heartland Yoga Studio Downtown. On Mezzanine level of Hotel Vetro. Enter at the revolving door next door to the Bread Garden and go up the stairs. |
City Ballet of Iowa Studio 3 blocks south of the Iowa City Post Office, where the railroad tracks cross Dubuque Street. |
| Dates for Fall 2009 | 7-week session on Sunday afternoons
Class times:
Price: $65 for full 7-week session, or $12.50 per class for pay-as-you-go |
Fall session has ended. |
| Exercise & Drill Classes Over 2009 Holiday Season | Stay tuned for info... | Belly Dance for Exercise November 4 & 11, 2009, Price: $9 per class Stay tuned for more classes to be scheduled.... |
| Winter 2010 Session | 7-week session on Sunday afternoons
Class times:
Price: $70 for full 7-week session, or $15.00 per class for pay-as-you-go |
7-week session on Wednesday nights
Class times:
Price: $70 for full 7-week session, or $15.00 per class for pay-as-you-go |
| Spring 2010 Session | 5-week session on Sunday afternoons
Class times:
Price: $50 for full 5-week session, or $15.00 per class for pay-as-you-go |
7-week session on Wednesday nights
Class times:
Price: $70 for full 7-week session, or $15.00 per class for pay-as-you-go |
| Class Focus |
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Tips for New Students
- If you miss one of the classes that I teach in one location, you may attend one of my classes in another location as a make-up.
- It helps to practice! I recommend trying to practice at least 3 times each week between classes.
- Give yourself permission to be a beginner. Don't expect to do every move perfectly the first time you see it.
- Remember, it's supposed to be fun!
What to Wear to Class
It's easier to learn a dance form if you practice in clothes that complement the movements because it makes it easier to feel it when you're doing it right and it makes it look better in the mirror! So here are some recommendations to help you get the most out of class:
In the photo to the right, I'm wearing a leotard, hip scarf, and pants. The leotard and pants are fancier than what I normally wear to class, but they give you the general idea. |
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Cultural Tip: In Egypt (and many other countries), "Oriental Dance" (the correct name for this dance form) is a social dance that people do for the fun of it at family celebrations such as weddings. At these occasions, people don't wear special costumes--they just wear their party clothes. However, when a woman gets up to dance, she grabs a long, rectangular scarf and ties it at her hips. She keeps it on the whole time she's dancing. So, tying a scarf or shawl around your hips will help you discover what the dance is supposed to feel like! The hip scarf in this photo uses the beads to spell "Wellcome" on the top row of fringe, and "Ahlan wa Sahlan" (Arabic for "welcome") on the bottom row. |
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Recommended footwear includes socks, ballet slippers, Hermes sandals (shown in the photo to the right), Scottish ghillies, or lyrical shoes. Avoid sneakers or other shoes with non-skid surfaces because they grip the floor too tightly and can torque the knees. Bare feet are acceptable, but not recommended because some moves taught in class involve pivoting which can cause painful blisters or torque the knee if done barefoot. Shoes worn outdoors are not allowed in the dance studio. |
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